63 Nocturia—An Underappreciated “Symptom” of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea?

Abstract

Nocturia (>2 per night) is the most frequent cause of disturbed sleep in older people. Poor sleep results in reduced health related QoL, and is linked to the development of cognitive impairment. Nocturia can result in an increase risk of falls and fractures, and is also an independent risk factor for mortality. The prevalence of norturia is high in the elderly, and it has been reported to be around 77.1% in elderly women and 93% in men. Historically, this bothersome symptom is thought to be mainly a result of bladder outflow obstruction due to prostatic hypertrophy or overactive bladder. More recently, nocturia has been associated witsh nocturnal polyuria (NPu) and obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). The relationship between OSA and NPu is not fully understood but it is thought that the negative intrathoracic pressure generated by OSA causes an increase in Atrial Natriuretic Peptide (ANP) secretion, resulting in NPu. Nocturia is highly prevalent in patients with severe OSA. However, patie)